Kangaroos: Expected Side vs Form Side

With all the talk of possible Origin selections, the upcoming Anzac test match between the Kangaroos and the Kiwis seems to be slightly overlooked.

The majority of the Kangaroos side picks itself, however reports seems to indicate there could be a selection surprise or two.

I’ve decided to take a slightly different look at the situation rather than just naming the 17 men I’d take into the clash.

Below is the 17 I expect to be selected, and also the player who should be chosen if it were selected purely on form. The player I believe will be selected is the first player named, while the player I would choose on form is in brackets.

As always, opinions are welcome as to who the form player is, who should be selected, and who you would select.

For the record I didn’t take too much notice of left and right hand centre and winger as the players likely to be chosen will play out of position anyways, and at this level players should be able to play either side of the field.

Fullback: Greg Inglis (James Tedesco)

James Tedesco is one of the form players of the competition, even in a losing side, but he will likely be overlooked for the experience of Greg Inglis. Inglis, who isn’t having the best of seasons and looks like he may be playing injured, has all the experience in the world and won’t let anyone down. He’s pretty much an automatic selection in any side in the world and you’d be crazy to think otherwise. That being said, Tedesco’s day will come, and right now I’d go so far as to say he is the premier fullback in the game.

Wingers: Semi Radradra and Darius Boyd (Corey Oates and Darius Boyd)

Straight up, I don’t believe Radradra should be available for selection, but he is, and as the best winger in the world earns his spot. On the other wing, Darius Boyd deserves selection. Boyd could arguably play fullback such has been his form, but if Inglis is picked, he earns a spot on the wing. Form wise, Corey Oates is having a pearler of a season thus far and will likely earn an Origin jersey in a few weeks-time. SKD and Jordan Rapana are the other form wingers, however are both New Zealanders. Boyd’s form warrants selection, even out of position.

Jennings and Radradra will form the left hand side while Josh Morris will likely partner Darius Boyd on the right. Jennings has been one of the form centres of the competition, and deserves his expected selection. Will Chambers injury has opened the door for Josh Morris, whose experience will probably see him edge out a debutant. Justin O’Neill is arguably the most underrated player on a brilliant Cowboys roster and has been quietly going about his business as usual. He’ll be battling with Dane Gagai for an Origin spot.

This is an automatic selection and cannot be argued. Cronk and Thurston have formed the most dominant representative halves pairing in modern time. That being said, I’d argue that Anthony Milford is the form half of the competition, with Thurston in at second. Milford beats out the likes of his club partner Hunt and Morgan, and even Cronk, in terms of performances thus far in 2016. Luckily for NSW he won’t represent QLD this year, however the Kiwis might not dodge that bullet, although any appearance would have to come from the bench.

An injury to Aaron Woods means the Cowboys bookends will be named as starting props, and you can’t begrudge either of them their starting spot. Both men are rep mainstays and still amongst the best in the business. On form though, no one is burning brighter than Roosters young gun Dylan Napa. He won’t play Origin, but I’d find a spot for him in this side without a doubt. Fifita has been a man mountain in the Shire for the Sharks after reeling in the mistakes and penalties and has earned the right to be in the reckoning for a return to rep duties.

Back Rowers: Gavin Cooper and Beau Scott (Ethan Lowe and Beau Scott)

I expect the Cowboys connection to see Cooper selected on the run on side, where he will be partnered by hitman Beau Scott. This may change as the players I’ve named on the bench can easily be swapped, however this is who I believe will start. Scott and Cooper are two of the form back rowers although I’d place Cooper’s fellow Cowboy Ethan Lowe slightly ahead in terms of form. Cooper is yet to play for Australia however I don’t think an international cap is too far off. Scott is amongst the rep mainstays and is having a brilliant start to 2016.

Lock: Paul Gallen (Corey Parker)

I don’t think Gallen will be overlooked despite talk that he hasn’t been contacted by Mal Meninga yet. He is the premier lock in the modern game and has led the way at both an Origin and international level for years. Although he has been brilliant for the Sharks since his return, I’d say Parker is the form Aussie number 13 right now. For the record Taumalolo is probably the main man in terms of impact, although Parker offers more over the journey. Both men are workhorses capable of busting a game open with an offload. Either/or, you won’t lose anything either way, and both will be there regardless of which position they’re named in.

There is absolutely no chance in the world that Smith doesn’t get selected if fit, but Michael Ennis is arguably the form Australian hooker in the competition right now. He sits second on the Dally M leader board and has led the line for the Sharks during their impressive run. Smith, although he has yet to set the world on fire, has been brilliant also, and will be the first player picked once again.

This will be tough to explain, but Thaiday, Parker, and Merrin will be in this side somewhere, whether it be from the bench or in the run on side. I believe Milford will be selected as the impact player, which Meninga likes to employ. I haven’t named Milford here and I believe he is the form half and thus was named in the run on side. Due to Milford being named there, Josh Dugan has shown the best form of players capable of filling in this utility position. Merrin deserves a spot here also after a brilliant start to his Panthers career. Josh McGuire has been brilliant off the bench at Brisbane as has Paul Vaughan in the nation’s capital. Both are genuine impact players and wouldn’t look out of position. Both will likely play Origin but miss out here.

Put Tedesco in at Fullback, and have (the injured and misfiring) GI on the bench to fill any position 1 through 7 (Morgan unlucky to miss out on this position). Leave Semi out (on principle!). Mal not to pick Milford out of respect for Kevvie/QLD. Smith to get the nod over Ennis for Hooker and play the full game without a backup (but surely Ennis over Farrah for SOO). Parker over Gallen for 13. The rest will work itself out. Just my 2 cents…

I hope mal meninga upholds the bans on the maroons. Even in the 4 nations. I don’t care if it seems fair or not. The idiots won’t break a curfew again. A guy like Dylan Napa has basically burned $150,000 in rep payments plus rep bonuses from the roosters because he didn’t go to bed when he was told. Maybe if guys like Pearce had that happen to him he wouldn’t have all these problems now.

I reckon Aussie should blood some younger guys, they have too many players picked on reputation and name rather than form. Has beens like Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman and Paul Gallen shouldn’t even come into consideration. Semi shouldn’t be eligible but if he is, you can’t not pick him when he’s one of the best wingers. This is my team for Aussie and NZ-

Got a feeling Rona might miss out with Hiku moving to wing and Kata to centre who is currently on fire. The rest I pretty much agree with although there might be a toss up between Blair and Glenn with Blair maybe having the upper hand so far.

Radradra its a joke anyone would think of him in a Aussie or a nsw jersey. I feel sorry for the young Aussie players who’s waiting to get a crack . And some PNG bloke comes an takes his spot. Its a bigger joke an the refs in the game.

Surely a time comes when people just aren’t playing good enough. Greg Inglis is looking very beverage this year whether injured or not, can’t always pick on past performance especially now Aus not 1 team anymore, need to ease the changeover in? So bring in Tedesco now, Milford for Cronk next time and slowly blood the young ones

I agree, all it would take is for Bennett to get England a 4 Nations win in November and we could be looking at an Australia ranking of 3rd by year end. We have to start building the next team that will continue the dynasty and not let it suffer the indignity of failure in old age.

Ur kidding saffron. Manu is the first name u put down his defence is ok not good not bad. With good players inside him he only has to stay on his man. He is the best winger 1 on 1 5 meters out u DON’T stop him. His carries out of our red zone are better than any player in the comp,bar none. Hes good on attacking bombs, ok on defensive bombs. I’d have him over any winger in the comp bar maybe semi.

Hey guys who would be in your team of the year so far (i know we are only at round 8 but im curious) you have to use at least 1 player from each team, then the last player can be from any team. mine would be like this:
Coote – Cowboys
Barba – Sharks
Gagai – Knights
Oates – Broncos
Tedesco – Tigers
Milford – Broncos
Norman – Eels
Kasiano – Bulldogs
Hodgson – Raiders
Napa – Roosters
Cartwright – Panthers
Hoffman – Warriors
S Burgess – Rabbitohs
Bench
Koroisau – Sea Eagles
Paasi – Titans
De Belin – Dragons
K Bromwich – Storm

Some of my selections are purely based on what i’ve heard, like dragons, knights, rabbitohs, sea eagles and warriors so dont judge my selections too harshly, but what do you guys think.

All these NZ sides and not 1 has the ever reliable Jason Nightingale. Not being biased but this bloke plays with heart every week and never lets any side down.
He is the incumbent winger and surely deserves his spot in front of Rona and Winterstien etc?? From a greedy perspective I hope he isn’t picked but surely deserves to be…

I don’t see the problem with Semi being picked. I would prefer for him to play for Fiji, but if he was to, or has become, an Australian citizen he should be allowed to play for his adopted country.

The argument that he cannot play Origin and therefore should not be picked for Australia is absurd. As the game becomes more national there will be very talented players coming out of States other than QLD and NSW. What will happen when the Storm unearths a Victorian star and depending on requirements, may not be eligible. Same if/when the game expand to WA.

I think we need to get used to the idea that the game is outgrowing QLD and NSW.